I take one step toward him before my legs give out. Ethan's already there, taking my weight effortlessly despite my drenched clothes. "Oh, honey," he whispers, kissing my damp hair. Clutching my hand, he leads me to our sitting room, where I collapse on the couch. My chest is heaving; no matter how much I try, I can't seem to catch my breath.

I'm panting as each sob shudders through me. "He was crying—as if he had the right to mourn and miss her. What was he doing when we were trapped in Moonbright under the king's thumb? He hasn't been an active part of our lives in years." Ethan holds my hand, giving me more comfort than he realizes.

My breath suddenly catches as an idea—however wild and reckless it could be—forms in my mind. It's so unbelievably simple that I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before. Get rid of the lingering tension between Moonbright and Maliwen by officially establishing a peace treaty. The only question is how to go about it.

With tear streaks lingering on my cheeks, I grab a piece of paper and a pen from our desk in the corner of our room. Before I can talk myself out of it, I hurriedly scribble a note to Juliette detailing my thoughts on a peace treaty between our two kingdoms. With the ink still drying, I'm up and stuffing things into my bag. I quickly replace my grief and pain with determination and clarity.

"Where are you going? Is everything okay?" Ethan asks when he notices my rushed movements. I turn, my eyes filled with hope and determination, and slowly kiss him. 

"To Moonbright. And I'm not sure yet." He shakes his head, confusion written on his face. "I love you. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I'm visiting Juliette." That part, at least, is only half a lie, but I hate having to keep the rest of my plan from him.

If this works, though, I'll be able to tell him the truth very soon. Nerves make my hands shake and my heart race as I rush out to the stables. Fleetfire does her usual neigh when she hears me, the sound reverberating through the immense space. Spirit whickers from the stall across from her, and despite my rush, I stop and pet her muzzle.

"I'm sorry I don't have a treat for you, sweet girl," I say softly, her ears swiveling in my direction. "I'll be sure to bring you one next time, okay?" She bumps her muzzle against my shoulder, making me laugh, and I take that to mean she agrees.

Forgoing tack yet again, I hurriedly mount Fleetfire, the mare snorting underneath me. "C'mon, girl," I say under my breath, squeezing my knees against her sides.

It'll take at least an hour to get there on horseback, and I don't want to waste any more time. I'd left my hair unbound this morning, and it streams behind me in the wind. Within minutes, I'm panting heavily, every muscle screaming at the sudden exertion. I still haven't fully recovered from my accident, and it shows.

When we finally get to Moonbright, I'm all but shaking. I dismount slowly, my ankle buckling when I hit the ground. The guards at the front immediately bow, recognition flashing in their eyes. "Your Highness," they both say.

I must bite back my wince as I nod at them in response. I want to rush to Juliette's suite and tell her my idea, but my ankle has other plans. The first guard (whose name I will later learn is Alec) scans me from head to toe, reaching out a hand. "Are you alright, my lady?"

I can't catch my breath. The stable hand appears a moment later, eyes flicking between all of us. "I'm—here to s—see Princess J—Juliette." A gasp for air punctures every other word. Barring yesterday's impromptu ride and the incident a week ago, it's been months since I've pushed my body this hard.

It's at this precise moment my ankle gives way entirely. Both guards catch me before I fall, supporting me on either side. The first guard nods, face lined with concern. "Of course, your Highness." Slowly, pain reverberating up and down my leg, we make our way inside.

We've barely crossed the threshold before voices reach us, worried and curious. "Lauren?" "Oh, my goodness. Honey, what happened?"

I can only turn pleading eyes to both mother and daughter, my unspoken words clear. Queen Adelaide nods, quickly thanking the guards before taking my weight. The pain is blinding now—I'm all but hopping on my good foot. Between that and the exertion, I'm hissing breaths out through clenched teeth.

Neither of them says a word until we're safely in Queen Adelaide's sitting room. Only then do I remember the purpose of this visit—the letter. Before I can open my mouth, though, Juliette is speaking, her eyes filled with worry. "Are you okay?"

Tears suddenly fill my eyes as a heartbreaking realization dawns on me: they don't know about Mom. I quickly give them a rundown of the past few weeks, my voice breaking as I get to her death. I have to stop and compose myself, my heart breaking anew.

When I finally get the words out, Queen Adelaide crumples, her sobs loud and heart-wrenching. Mom had been her childhood friend—they'd grown up together. Juliette's eyes slowly fill with tears as she shakes her head, disbelief and sorrow written on her face. "Lauren, I'm so sorry." Her voice breaks as the last word leaves her mouth. She takes my hand, her own trembling slightly.

I swipe at my eyes as I pull the letter out of my bag. "That's not why I'm here." My heart skips a beat as nerves create a knot in my stomach. The future of both our kingdoms will depend on how this proposition is received.

Queen Adelaide takes the paper, her fingers brushing against mine. "Lauren, you're trembling!"

Juliette moves to sit beside me, putting a steadying arm around my shoulder. I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly before speaking. "I'd been so trapped in my head that I'd failed to recognize the trauma my sisters had been going through. I had to coax Allie out of a nightmare, which pushed me over the edge. She kept seeing—"I have to pause, swallow past the lump in my throat before I can continue.

Queen Adelaide gasps, her eyes widening as her hand rises to her mouth. Juliette glances at her mother but soon returns her gaze to me. "She kept seeing Mom—moments after it happened." My breath hitches, but I don't stop. I know that if I do, I won't be able to start again. "I knew no words could ever heal the agony inside her—no amount of replaying the moment could ever bring closure."

My voice breaks on the last word, tears welling in my eyes again. I quickly explain the rest, starting with my panic attack and ending with the surprise encounter with my father. They both gasp when I get to our heated exchange.

I take a steadying breath when I finish, letting it out slowly. This is it. "I've thought a lot about it, and I feel like, after everything that's happened, it's time to enact a formal peace treaty between Moonbright and Maliwen." It's the reason I wanted to share the idea with them first before telling Ethan.

They've been with me—both physically and in spirit—from the very beginning. It's only fitting that they're the first to hear of what may change the future of both our kingdoms. "While I'll never forget the trauma I endured in Moonbright, I don't want that to define me. I'll always have invisible scars, but I'm not that timid mistress anymore." Queen Adelaide's eyes again fill with tears at the word mistress.

I lock eyes with her, the woman who's saved me more times than she knows. "You became a second mother to me during my time in Moonbright. You were always there to pick me up when I needed it, to offer an encouraging word or a helping hand. I couldn't ask for more. Even now, you never turned your back on me—you're always there if I need anything. You saved both me and my mother, and I'll be forever grateful."

She squeezes my hand as the last word leaves my mouth. When I turn to Juliette, she's already crying. At the sight of her tears, I feel my eyes begin to well.

I take both her hands in mine, smiling through my tears. "You're my oldest and dearest friend—my sister—and there aren't enough words for me to properly convey how much I love and am thankful for you. You've been with me through it all—the good, the bad, and the ugly. You were the one who encouraged me to write back to Ethan that day; who knows what would have happened had I not taken your advice? I certainly wouldn't be where I am today."

She laughs through her tears, squeezing my hands. "Even though we don't see each other daily like we used to, you're with me in my heart every minute of the day. I know I can always count on you for anything—advice, to cheer me up, to be a shoulder to cry on."

With another deep breath, I take one hand in both of mine, looking at them as a silent conversation passes between us. Queen Adelaide nods, squeezing my hand again before disappearing out the suite door. Juliette hugs me tightly once we're alone, her gaze as earnest as I've ever seen it.

"I can't believe this is finally happening," I breathe, my voice shaking.

Juliette squeezes my hand. "You did it, Lauren. This is all because of you."

After waiting for what feels like an eternity, Queen Adelaide finally returns, a nervous smile on her face. "I just drew up the official document. A messenger is on his way to Maliwen now."

More waiting. Finally, the messenger returns. When Queen Adelaide returns to the suite, Juliette and I squeeze each other's hands, nervous energy crackling between us. Tears glimmer in her eyes, but at first glance, I can tell they're happy.

"They agreed before I could get all the words out. Queen Vanessa sang your praises, Lauren, telling me repeatedly what a light you brought to their lives. I can tell that she loves you very much, just as I do. She invited us all to Maliwen in an hour for a special announcement."

Her smile is wider than I've ever seen it. A knock sounds on the door, and it opens before the sound even finishes echoing. My smile stretches from ear to ear, but it fades as I meet cautious eyes. Juliette appears behind me seconds later, stopping short as she notices who stands before me.

Queen Adelaide's smile vanishes instantly, replaced with cruel indifference. "Daniel. What are you doing here?" I've never heard her sound so... Cold.

I have to bite my tongue to keep from speaking because he (I can't bring myself to call him my father) is filled with such remorse, such guilt. He turns and, without missing a beat, bows deeply. "Your Majesty," he says. When he shifts his gaze to Juliette, she doesn't move a muscle. I'm not sure she's even breathing.

Queen Adelaide steps in front of us, her body tense. "I'm going to ask you again. What are you doing here?" Her voice gains the barest edge of steel, and even though I know it's not directed at me, I can't stop the shudder that travels down my spine.

When he speaks, I can't help but flinch. "I wanted to offer my condolences in person." I swear genuine sorrow appears in his eyes as the words leave his mouth. "Eliza was my heart and soul. I loved her more than I ever thought I could love someone. I was devastated when I heard the news."

I suck in a breath as he turns to me, looking directly into my eyes. "Lauren, you have to know how much I love you and the girls. I always will."

My chest hitches, but I blink the tears back before they can fall. I WILL NOT cry in front of him. With that, he disappears down the hallway, his words lingering in the air. My ankle suddenly gives out, and I slump onto the chair. Juliette is in front of me in seconds, scanning my face.

"I'm so sorry, Lauren," she says.

I take a deep, steadying breath, then blow it out slowly. "I'm fine." The look Juliette gives her mother practically screams the opposite, but neither of them contradicts me. "We should get going."

I curl my hands into fists, praying they won't notice the tremors shuddering through my body. The journey home simultaneously takes forever and is over in an instant. I want to rush inside and ask Ethan what's going on.

But I don't. Instead, I walk calmly inside the castle, my face blank. It's only when we reach the throne room, the pews already filled with courtiers and servants alike, that I release a tight breath. When I look around, my gaze snags on a familiar face. Fabian is leaning against one of the pillars near the back wall, his face solemn. When he meets my gaze, he gives me a nod.

Ethan is already atop the dais, in front of the two massive thrones. The minute we lock eyes, my husband gives me the tiniest smile. Queen Vanessa catches my eye, winking and smiling softly. Juliette smiles and waves at Ethan before taking a seat. Queen Adelaide does the same, her eyes sparkling as she glances from Ethan to me.

Allie and Nicole are beside them, tears of joy gleaming in their eyes as they look up at us. When I lock eyes with Allie, then Nicole, I must blink back tears. Their own cascade down their cheeks in rivulets as they read everything unspoken in my eyes, my expression, my posture. Grief, rage, hatred, depression, hope—they all flash across my face, there and gone in a heartbeat.

They both give me sad nods, and I know they're referring to the heated confrontation with our father. I can only respond in kind, my hands trembling as I turn my gaze to the dais and the prince standing there, waiting for me.

Without a word, I make my way up to his side, realizing belatedly that I'm still in my drenched clothes from hours—months, years—ago. His smile is as radiant as I've ever seen, his eyes shining with love and determination. He extends his hand as I reach him, and I gently slip my own into his, squeezing.

Ethan turns to face the crowded pews, every inch of the throne room occupied by citizens of both Moonbright and Maliwen. It appears everyone wanted to be present for this momentous announcement. "Thank you all for being here. Today marks the end of an era, one of suffering, strife, and conflict. For too long, we have allowed power and ego to occupy the throne, ruling with an iron fist rather than a gentle hand."

He pauses and searches the crowd, his eyes darkening as his gaze lands on a familiar figure. The king is staring at him, remorse and guilt in his eyes. When his gaze lands on me, I must hold back my shudder, but I don't break his gaze. He's the one that looks away, eyes downcast.

"As of this moment, the bad blood between Maliwen and Moonbright is no more. A new era is dawning, one of peace and joy and harmony. We no longer need to be at odds with each other. We no longer need to be defined by our past, mistakes, or titles, both current and former."

Ethan looks directly at me when the last word leaves his mouth, love and pride gleaming in his eyes. I must duck my head to hide the blush creeping over my face and the tears glistening in my eyes. When I look back at the crowd, a glimmer of black catches my eye. He is still speaking, his voice clear and strong in the throne room, but I don't hear a word.

Our father is standing in the back of the room, his gaze fixed on me. Tears are glimmering in his eyes, multiple emotions fighting for control. Love, pride, regret, sadness—they're all there. As if in farewell, he bows his head deeply, then disappears.

I don't realize I'm crying until my chest starts hitching. I tune in just in time to hear someone in the crowd shout, "All hail Prince Ethan and Princess Lauren!"

My sisters quickly echo the exclamation, voices building until they shout it. Soon, the words reverberate throughout the throne room, sending a jolt of pride through me.

I may be a princess now, but I'll never forget my former title—the King's Mistress. I guess the saying is true: no matter how hard you try, you'll never truly let go of your past. As I look out at our subjects, my sisters clapping and cheering alongside everyone else, I realize maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Final chapter! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed and favourited! I cannot thank y'all (all 8.2 k of y'all) for starting, following, and ending Lauren's journey with me.